In what ways, according to Paul, should Thessalonian christians prepare for the second coming of Christ?

Answer Details

How the Thessalonian Christians should prepare for the second coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11)

Paul taught that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, suddenly and unexpectedly, and that no one knows the exact times and seasons. Since the Thessalonians were children of light and not of darkness, they should not be caught unprepared like those who sleep. He gave them the following ways to prepare:

• Watchfulness and alertness: They should stay awake and be sober, not sleeping as others do, but keeping spiritually alert and ready at all times.
• Self-control and sobriety: They should live soberly, avoiding drunkenness and the excesses associated with the night.
• Putting on spiritual armour: They should put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
• Holy and blameless living: They should live holy lives, abstaining from sexual immorality and controlling their bodies in holiness and honour, so as to be found blameless at His coming.
• Diligence and honest work: They should not be idle but work quietly with their hands and mind their own affairs, so as to command the respect of outsiders.
• Comforting and encouraging one another: They should not grieve like those without hope over believers who have died, since the dead in Christ will rise first; rather they should comfort and build up one another with these words.
• Constant devotion: They should rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances, holding fast to what is good.

In this way they would be ready to meet the Lord and obtain salvation through Him.